for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com AUGUST 20, 2015 • buzz • the Queens Courier 75 for breaking news visit www.timesnewsweekly.com AUGUST 20, 2015 • times 31 victoria’s secrets VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS [email protected] The Yunis clan: Broners, Schnepses, Petersons, Eastons and Alonis Dynamic for all the news 24 hours, 7 days a week DENTAL go WORK to www.ridgewoodtimes.com 175-15 Jamaica avenue, Jamaica 718-297-4100 • 718-297-4106 tweet me @vschneps Free Whitening included Some excluSionS Apply the inViSiBle WAy to StrAighten teeth third generation dentist $1500 off Lumineers $500 off Invisalign Reunions It was a bittersweet reunion on Long beach island on the Jersey shore and the following weekend a joyous gathering of the Yunis family in kent, Connecticut. For years, my late husband stu’s daughter Mimi and her husband Jim have hosted their and my family at their getaway country house. Each of these two weekends, in addition to the pleasure of seeing family and friends, I found special places to stay – a restored Victorian inn on Long Beach Island and a charming 1800s restored clapboard house near Kent, and each was unique in its own way. The Connecticut house I found on Airbnb was sun hill farm in warren. As we arrived, after sunset, driving through curving, one-lane roads, we found the house. There, sitting on a rocking chair on the front porch, was the owner. We had rented it several months ago from photos online and he graciously waited for us to tour his five-bedroom house and learn details about the house he has lovingly restored. My grandson Jonah was mesmerized as the proprietor explained that a cow may wander onto the property. We should be prepared that, if the friendly cow licked Jonah, his tongue is like Velcro and could stick to his shirt and take it off his back! We were all impressed and a little spooked by this warning. But it never came to pass. We never saw a wayward cow from the contiguous farm to the farm we were on. The owner told us to feel free to take apples from the trees and the next day we had fun pulling tart apples from the low-lying limbs, filling the skirt of my nightgown. We also found flower gardens and couldn’t resist cutting some to take home with us along with the apples. As Sun Hill was located only 10 minutes from the Broners’ house, we spent our days and night relishing the time with the big boy cousins and seeing 3-1/2-year-old Jillian, up with her dad Jon and mom hilary from sarasota, florida. addy, 4, and Jillian were like two peas in a pod, bonding only as family can. Hopefully, they will grow up close even though they live so far apart! It was a weekend of feasting, friendship, love and joy, and I know my Stu was smiling down on us, happy about the gathering of his clan. Long Beach Island, where I was the weekend before, is home to a unique five-star bed and breakfast, the gables historic inn and restaurant. I had met the innkeeper, sandra beninati, in Manhattan and we instantly bonded and she invited me to visit her. Well, to my delight, I had a magical two-night stay at her elegant shore getaway and then had a chance to be further spoiled by eating a five-star dinner and two breakfasts there. The Gables has been meticulously restored to its 1852 origins as the victoria inn. The intimate space has five beautifully appointed guest rooms featuring queen beds, silky soft linens, marble whirlpool Jacuzzi bathtubs and antique furnishings. There were also the mandatory flat-screen TV, air conditioning and complimentary Wi-Fi. Sandra, the innkeeper, is a fanatic for details like the gorgeous, award-winning gardens with overflowing pink petunias surrounding the outside porch that also serves as one of the four dining room choices. I must tell you what an unexpected treat it was to dine in the room in the garden. The table was elegantly set with fine crystal and china but the real star was the food. As it’s a bed and breakfast, I enjoyed two days of a beautifully presented full breakfasts. One day, I had an omelet with spinach, sausages, fresh orange juice and crispy toasted French baguettes. The next morning, I had a vegetable frittata with tomatoes and sausage presented hot from the oven in a porcelain dish topped with mozzarella cheese. The staff was friendly, professional and helpful. It doesn’t get better than the Gables. My hostess Sandra has lovingly created a world-class inn and I’m grateful to have spent time at her charming establishment. Florida family Jon and Jillian with cousin Addy Our hosts, Mimi and Jim The lovingly restored bedroom at the Gables Historic Inn Sam Broner with Zoe Easton and Addy Aloni
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